STORY - Guygam Sandhills

‘Guygam’ - Sandhills | Acrylic on canvas | 50cm x 60cm

 This piece represents the importance of sand environments on Bundjalung Country. Sand environments around the ocean and estuaries provided an abundance of wild food where there were always plenty of resources to share among the community.

Turtles, shellfish, swan and duck eggs and plants such as water lily bulbs, sea celery and pig face were among some of the many food resources. Middens were also common and unfortunately sand mining and development destroyed many valuable midden sites.

The passing on of knowledge about Country to the younger generation is an important tradition and sand painting was also a common art form in coastal areas, where coloured sands were used to create a temporary picture and story which was then washed away by the next high tide.

Holly Sanders

Holly Sanders is a proud Aboriginal Bundjalung woman who is currently residing on Yuin Country, South Coast of New South Wales. Through her art she aims to share her stories, culture and Country in a contemporary way. The patterns of Saltwater Country motivate her, as do stories from the past.

The colours and patterns utilised in her art are a reflection of her connection to Country and used to develop a modern interpretation of her Aboriginal culture.